Heading to the Canary Islands in November advice please

[Derbie]

We will be sailing a 13 day TA cruise in November 2016. We have never been on a TA cruise before. We will be hitting Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands , Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Can you all offer any tour recommendations for each port? We often do our own planning; however, we have never taken a cruise out of Europe. We are saling out of Malaga, Spain. We will be coming in a day early. Should we visit Alhambra, or stay in the port area? Also, does anyone know if we need a tourist Visa? Any recommendations are welcome, and sincerely appreciated.

 

Derbie

 

Malaga, Spain | Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands | Gran Canaria, Canary Islands | Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain |

Edited January 3, 2016 by Derbie

[campolady]

We will be coming in a day early. Should we visit Alhambra, or stay in the port area? |

 

Stay in Malaga for your pre-cruise day. See this thread for info on the city http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2268599

[syesmar]

Hi!

 

Just returned 2 weeks ago from a Canary Islands Adventure that featured Gran Canaria and Tenerife. They exceeded all expectations! Would go again in a heartbeat!

 

Here's a couple posts detailing what we did:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=48581126&postcount=4

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=48565896&postcount=23

 

There were some other posts on this board I found prior to our trip by using the search feature that were quite helpful.

 

Have a great time as you make plans!

[PAMJP]

If you like to do your own thing, here is what we did on our recent Azores and Canary Islands cruise.

Tenerife we went to the old capital La Laguna by tram, about 35 mins each way, couple of euros each. Tram was about 10 mins walk from port drop off, easy to find. La Laguna is an UNESCO site.

Gran Canaria we went on hoho bus but we didn't really enjoy but just across the road from the port is a very interesting science museum which is worth a visit.

Lanzarote you need the ships shuttle into town, drop off is about 10-15 mins walk, passing a small lagoon and on the left there is a fort which was interesting to walk up to over cobbled street. The main shopping area is then across the road opposite.

We enjoyed all theses calls.

[Derbie]

If you like to do your own thing, here is what we did on our recent Azores and Canary Islands cruise.

Tenerife we went to the old capital La Laguna by tram, about 35 mins each way, couple of euros each. Tram was about 10 mins walk from port drop off, easy to find. La Laguna is an UNESCO site.

Gran Canaria we went on hoho bus but we didn't really enjoy but just across the road from the port is a very interesting science museum which is worth a visit.

Lanzarote you need the ships shuttle into town, drop off is about 10-15 mins walk, passing a small lagoon and on the left there is a fort which was interesting to walk up to over cobbled street. The main shopping area is then across the road opposite.

We enjoyed all theses calls.

 

Thanks for the great information! Is there any certain food we should try, or a certain souvenir that is worth purchasing?

[campolady]

Thanks for the great information! Is there any certain food we should try, or a certain souvenir that is worth purchasing?

 

The typical Canarian drink is Ron Miel - a lovely mix of Rum and Honey. http://copaspirits.com/pages/portfolio/ron-miel.shtml

 

Don't miss trying the most traditional Canary Island favourite of Papas Arrugadas - 'wrinkly' potatoes served in most Canarian bars and restaurants either as a Tapa or with main meals. The potatoes are generally served with Mojo sauce - this is a Garlic based sauce either Green (mild) or Red (more spicy). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canarian_wrinkly_potatoes

 

When in Malaga before you sail you must sample some of the local Malaga Wines - fortified wines similar to Sherry. http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-malaga If you go into Bar Antigua Casa De Guardia on Avenida Alameda (reputedly the oldest bar in Malaga and very atmospheric) you can sample the Wines straight from the cask - so many to choose from varying from very dry to very sweet (my favourite is Pedro Ximenez that isn't too sweet); each time you have a drink a chalk mark is written on the old wooden bar in front of you so that you, and the bar staff, can keep tabs of how many you have had! http://www.casadeguardia.com/

Edited January 6, 2016 by campolady

[Derbie]

The typical Canarian drink is Ron Miel - a lovely mix of Rum and Honey. http://copaspirits.com/pages/portfolio/ron-miel.shtml

 

Don't miss trying the most traditional Canary Island favourite of Papas Arrugadas - 'wrinkly' potatoes served in most Canarian bars and restaurants either as a Tapa or with main meals. The potatoes are generally served with Mojo sauce - this is a Garlic based sauce either Green (mild) or Red (more spicy). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canarian_wrinkly_potatoes

 

When in Malaga before you sail you must sample some of the local Malaga Wines - fortified wines similar to Sherry. http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-malaga If you go into Bar Antigua Casa De Guardia on Avenida Alameda (reputedly the oldest bar in Malaga and very atmospheric) you can sample the Wines straight from the cask - so many to choose from varying from very dry to very sweet (my favourite is Pedro Ximenez that isn't too sweet); each time you have a drink a chalk mark is written on the old wooden bar in front of you so that you, and the bar staff, can keep tabs of how many you have had! http://www.casadeguardia.com/

 

Thank you so very much! I am envious of your great wealth of information.

[AntjeG]

I did various Canary Islands cruises and go back there frequently. Here are my recommendations:

 

Malaga:

Alhambra is well worth a visit. But it is a long trip. If you feel jetlagged stay in Malaga.

 

Tenerife:

half-day tour to the Anaga Mountains

half-day tour to Mount Teide which is Spain´s highest mountain

La Laguna by tram as suggested by another poster

bus 103 or rental car to the city of Puerto de la Cruz in the north (beautiful but windy coastline, lovely zoo called Loro Parque)

 

Lanzarote

my favorite island

staying in Arrecife is a waste

take a rental car and visit as many of the following sites as you can:

Jameos del Agua

Cactus Garden

Mirador del Rio

La Geria (wine tasting)

Teguise

Timanfaya (National Park)

 

Gran Canaria

Las Canteras beach is in walking distance from the port

shopping center next to the pier

half day tour to Guayadeque

 

I did lots of Canary Islands reviews in German (I went there on ships with only Germa as on board language). The reviews have lots of photos of the sites mentioned. You may want to google my screen name and the name of one of the islands to find them.

[disneykins]

If you like to do your own thing, here is what we did on our recent Azores and Canary Islands cruise.

Tenerife we went to the old capital La Laguna by tram, about 35 mins each way, couple of euros each. Tram was about 10 mins walk from port drop off, easy to find. La Laguna is an UNESCO site.

Gran Canaria we went on hoho bus but we didn't really enjoy but just across the road from the port is a very interesting science museum which is worth a visit.

Lanzarote you need the ships shuttle into town, drop off is about 10-15 mins walk, passing a small lagoon and on the left there is a fort which was interesting to walk up to over cobbled street. The main shopping area is then across the road opposite.

We enjoyed all theses calls.

 

La Laguna is what we plan on doing in November on our Epic cruise. Is there a lot of walking in La Laguna? Is it a full day trip or would we have time to get to Las Teresitas for the beach before returning to the ship. We are in port from 8am to 4pm on a bank holiday (Nov. 2)

thanks,

Tony and Debbie